Kentucky Homeschool Law

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LOW REGULATION

Homeschooling is not recognized as a legal schooling option in Kentucky. However since 1979 parents have been educating their children at home operating as non-public schools (a.k.a. private schools). The Kentucky Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Kentucky State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education v. Rudasill (1979) is the foundation for parents legally educating their children at home.

Age of Required Attendance

The state of Kentucky requires your child(ren) to attend school from the age of 6 to 16 years old. Legal schooling options include the following:

public school

private school

parochial school

church regular day school

NOTE: The state of Kentucky considers homeschools as private schools.

(See legal references 1 & 2)

Notify The School District

The Kentucky Homeschool Law requires you to send aLetter of Intent to the district superintendent. This letter must be sent preferably 10 days before school begins and no later than 2 weeks after the beginning of the public school year. It is acceptable to send the letter later in the school year if you start to homeschool mid-year, or if you move into the area during the school year; in either case, you must be prompt. You must send in this letter each year that you choose to homeschool. This letter must include the names, ages, and addresses of all students that will be homeschooling.

If You Need To Withdraw Your Child

If your child is already attending a Kentucky public school you will need to officially withdraw them before beginning to homeschool. Fill out and send in this Letter of Withdrawal to notify the school that you will be homeschooling. If you do not withdraw your child officially than the school may mark them as absent and charge you for truancy.

Qualify

The Kentucky Homeschool Law does not require you to meet any specific qualification requirements.

Hours Of Instruction

The Kentucky Homeschool Law requires you to teach a minimum of 185 days/year.

(See legal reference 3)

Required Subjects

The Kentucky Homeschool Law requires you to teach the same subjects that are taught in the public school. The following 8 subjects must be taught in the English language:

reading

writing

spelling

grammar

history

mathematics

science

civics

(See legal reference 4)

Keep Records

The Kentucky Homeschool Law requires you to keep records of attendance and grades. Attendance records must kept in a register (this can be in a notebook, on a computer, or in any other way that is easily accessible for inspection). It is suggested by the Kentucky Department of Education that you keep a portfolio of each child’s work to easily show their academic progress. You must also keep records of each child’s grades and the courses that they take.

NOTE: Parents must be ready at any time to allow an inspection by a school director or an official from the Department of Education.

(See legal reference 4 & 5)

Testing

The Kentucky Homeschool Law does notrequire homeschool students to participate in testing.

Immunization Law For Kentucky Homeschoolers

The state of Kentucky requires all students to receive vaccinations. This includes students who attend public schools, private schools, and homeschools.

NOTE: The state of Kentucky does not require homeschooling families to submit their immunization records.

(See legal reference 6)

Helpful Websites For Kentucky Homeschoolers

For local support and information visit these Kentucky homeschool websites: